Apple Taps Fashion CEO as Retail Magic Fades

Apple has hired Angela Ahrendts, currently chief executive of British luxury retailer Burberry Group, to head up its retail efforts. Kathy Gordon examines her use of digital marketing at the British fashion house and how she turned around the company. Photo: Bloomberg

Apple Inc. reached into the world of fashion to fill its long-vacant position of retail chief—a job made all the more important as the tech giant's sales soften.

The company said Tuesday it was hiring Angela Ahrendts, the chief executive behind a seven-year growth spurt at British luxury-goods company Burberry Group PLC. The 53-year-old Ms. Ahrendts, who was chosen after a yearlong search, is known for having refreshed Burberry's...